As the House of Representatives enters its third week without a leader, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan is working to shore up support for his speaker bid ahead of an expected vote on Tuesday.

A few prominent GOP detractors have now said they'll support Ohio Republican, but Jordan, a favorite of Donald Trump and a staunch ally of the former president, still faces an uphill battle – he'll need the support of nearly every House Republican in order to win the speaker's gavel.

What You Need To Know

  • Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan is working to shore up support for his speaker bid ahead of an expected vote on Tuesday

  • A few prominent GOP detractors, like Missouri Rep. Ann Wagner, have now said they'll support Ohio Republican

  • But Jordan still faces an uphill battle, needing the support of nearly every Republican in the House in order to win the speakership

  • Without a speaker, the House has been unable to take action on key priorities, like providing funding to Israel amid its war with Hamas and once again averting a government shutdown

House Republicans picked Jordan last week to become speaker-designate after Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., withdrew his name from contention. Jordan prevailed over Georgia Rep. Austin Scott in a 124-81 vote among the Republican conference; in a second vote held last week, which asked if GOP members would back the Ohio Republican in a floor vote, 55 Republicans said they would not support his candidacy.

Without a speaker, the House has been unable to take action on key priorities, like providing funding to Israel amid its war with Hamas and once again averting a government shutdown.

In a letter to colleagues, Jordan stressed the need to "unite to get back to work on behalf of the American people."

"The role of a Speaker is to bring all Republicans together," Jordan wrote. "That's what I intend to do."

To that end, the Ohio Republican appears to have won over some of his detractors. On Monday, Missouri Rep. Ann Wagner, who initially said Jordan's candidacy was a "nonstarter," says she will support his speakership.

"Let me be clear, I am not, and will not, work with Democrats as our Republican Conference comes together to elect a conservative Speaker of the House," Wagner said in a statement. "Too much is at stake to hand control of the House over to radical liberal Democrats, which is why we must elect a conservative as the next Speaker."

"Jim Jordan and I spoke at length again this morning, and he has allayed my concerns" about issues ranging from government funding to border security, she continued, adding: "Jim Jordan is our conference nominee, and I will support his nomination for Speaker on the House floor."

Rep. Ken Calvert, a Republican who represents a California district President Joe Biden won in 2020, also said Monday that Jordan has his support.

"After having a conversation with Jim Jordan about how we must get the House back on a path to achieve our national security and appropriations goals, I will be supporting him for Speaker on the floor," Calvert wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "Let’s get to work."

Alabama Rep. Mike Rogers, who chairs the powerful House Armed Services Committee, said he's had "two cordial, thoughtful, and productive conversations" with Jordan in recent days.

"We agreed on the need for Congress to pass a strong NDAA, appropriations to fund our government's vital functions, and other important legislation like the Farm Bill," Rogers wrote on X. "As a result, I have decided to support Jim Jordan for Speaker of the House on the floor."

Florida Rep. Vern Buchanan said that after a "very productive conservation" with Jordan, he "informed him that I will be offering my support on the House floor."

"While I have always said that Jim is a good friend, I am deeply frustrated by the way this process has played out," Buchanan wrote on X. "However, I believe the future and immediate well-being and security of our country is too important and the need for Republicans to move forward united is greater than ever."

But Jordan still has plenty of ground to make up. Florida Rep. Carlos Gimenez said Monday he is still supporting McCarthy and will vote for the California Republican on the House floor.

"I am supporting Republican [McCarthy] and intend on voting for him on the House Floor," Gimenez wrote on X, calling his removal from power a "despicable coup."

"Speaker McCarthy should have never been removed to begin with," he added. 

Gimenez also told NBC's "Meet the Press Daily" on Monday: "Lately I’m having real problems with Jim Jordan."

New York Rep. Mike Lawler also told CNN on Monday that he will vote for McCarthy on the House floor.

McCarthy, for his part, said he feels "very good" about where Jordan is and believes the Ohio Republican can win the speakership on the House floor on Tuesday.

One House Republican told Spectrum News they feel "really good" about Jordan's chances, but another GOP lawmaker was more cautious.

"It's doubtful [Jordan] gets the votes on the floor, very doubtful," the lawmaker said.

Regardless of whether or not he has the votes locked up, Jordan said they will vote on the House floor on Tuesday at noon.

"We will go to the floor tomorrow," Jordan told CNN on Monday. "It's not about pressuring anybody, it's just about – we've got to have a speaker. You can't open the House and do the work of the American people and help our dearest and closest friend Israel if you don't have a speaker."

"We are going to elect a speaker tomorrow," Jordan said when asked he'd be willing to go to multiple ballots to elect a speaker, adding: "We gotta come together. We have to unify. We have to come together."